< Job 24 >
1 Why are not times treasured up by the Almighty? And why do not they who know him see his days?
2 They remove landmarks; They take away flocks by violence, and pasture them.
3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless, And take the widow's ox for a pledge.
4 They push the needy from the way; All the poor of the land are forced to hide themselves.
5 Behold, like wild asses of the desert, they go forth to their work; They search for prey; The wilderness supplieth them food for their children.
6 In the fields they reap the harvest, And gather the vintage of the oppressor.
7 They lodge naked, without clothing, And without covering from the cold.
8 They are drenched with the mountain showers, And embrace the rock for want of shelter.
9 The fatherless are torn from the breast, And the garment of the needy is taken for a pledge.
10 They go naked, without clothing, And carry the sheaf hungry.
11 They make oil within their walls, And tread the wine-vat, yet suffer thirst.
12 From anguish the dying groan, And the wounded cry aloud; And God regardeth not their prayer!
13 Others hate the light; They know not its ways, And abide not in its paths.
14 With the light ariseth the murderer; He killeth the poor and needy; In the night he is as a thief.
15 The eye of the adulterer watcheth for the twilight; He saith, “No eye will see me,” And putteth a mask upon his face.
16 In the dark they break into houses; In the daytime they shut themselves up; They are strangers to the light.
17 The morning is to them the very shadow of death; They are familiar with the terrors of the shadow of death.
18 Light are they on the face of the waters; They have an accursed portion in the earth; They come not near the vineyards.
19 As drought and heat consume the snow waters, So doth the grave the wicked. (Sheol )
20 His own mother forgetteth him; The worm feedeth sweetly on him; He is no more remembered, And iniquity is broken like a tree.
21 He oppresseth the barren, that hath not borne, And doeth not good to the widow.
22 He taketh away the mighty by his power; He riseth up, and no one is sure of life.
23 God giveth them security, so that they are confident; His eyes are upon their ways.
24 They are exalted; —in a little while they are gone! They are brought low, and die, like all others; And like the topmost ears of corn are they cut off.
25 If it be not so, who will confute me, And show my discourse to be worthless?
